Kazimierz Ratajczak Art Studio » Stefan Bech's woodcuts

I was recently browsing the shelves in my library. In search of publications about exotic art, I found, squeezed between books, a position non-exotic at all. It was portfolio with Stefan Bech's woodcuts published in 1960, exactly sixty years ago.

As it usually happens , not each of the works placed there represents a high artistic level. However, their true beauty comes from the author's passion. The beauty that Stefan Bech was able to see in no longer existing parts of our city.

Most of the woodcuts are works captivating with the balance of black paint and, unfortunately, a bit yellowed white. However, this does not interfere with the perception – makes them even more interesting. I did not count how many ectypes of woodcut there are in the portfolio - maybe it is incomplete. It certainly does not contain the text of the author whose name appears on the cover of the publisher. I was also not looking for any publications on Stefan Bech. I did it on purpose, so as not to be influenced by the author's biography or the existing descriptions of his work. So I was able to view it without unnecessary "information noise". Someone will say it is an unprofessional. Maybe so. However, I decided to rely on my feelings. I had no intention of confronting my impressions with previously read opinions.

I`ve chosen some of these works. Most of them show the old city architecture. However, apart from the formal graphic arts, I noticed the drawings depicting people or hanging clothes. For me, these are the most exciting.

In this way, while searching for art studies existing thousands of kilometers away, I found a portfolio full of wonderful woodcuts showing monuments of Kościan.

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